SIUE

Former SIUE player and assistant coach Ben Wierzba returned toSIUE as an assistant men’s basketball coach prior to the2014-15 season.

The native of Farmington, Illinois, joins the Cougars followingfour seasons as the head coach at Division II Illinois-Springfield.Wierzba led the Prairie Stars to three consecutive Great LakesValley Conference tournament appearances. He was only the secondhead coach in the history of the UIS program, taking over duringthe second year of Division II playThe Prairie Stars were 12-6 inthe GLVC West during the 2011-2012 season, just one game back ofthe lead. Wierzba had an overall record of 41-67 while at UIS.

The appointment marks Wierzba’s third stint with theCougars. He finished his collegiatecareer at SIUE in 1999. He averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds,and 2.4 assists duing the 1998-99 campaign for SIUE.

Wierzba returned to SIUE as an assistant coach under former headcoach Marty Simmons during 2006-2007. He moved to Evansville whenSimmons took over as the head coach in 2007. Wierzba remained atEvansville until taking over at UIS. 

Wierzba also has had coaching stints at North Dakota, St.Joseph’s (Indiana), West Point, and Lewis(Illinois).